1. Les Parents terribles (Jean Cocteau, 1948) 5/10
It is moderately entertaining and the characters are fairly charismatic. The craftsmanship is stable and supports the plot in a functional way. But this film is really permeated by "high quality" - that is with theatricality, bourgeois surroundings, and artificiality. On a positive note there is some irony and humor about this in the film. But the film lacks cinematic merit and reminds to much of a filmed theater piece.
2. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (George Roy Hill, 1969) 6/10
I appreciated the self-awareness and the parody of the Western genre. Also the chemistry between Newman / Redford creates much humor throughout the film. Many moments of cinematographic eye-candy which is always appreciated. Some of the landscape imagery is gorgeous and looks awesome on the big screen.
3. Un homme et une femme (Claude Lelouch, 1966) 5/10
There are some good humanistic moments in this film. I like the interaction the love couple have with their children and their initial encounters. The film also contains expressive cinematography which are to varying degrees interesting. But in my opinion it gets a bit to self-indulgent and meaningless. The music is annoying at times.
4. Mat' (Vsevolod Pudovkin, 1926) 7/10
Soviet montage. Skillful editing that enhances the dramatic tension and creates lyric imagery. The representations of right-wing extremists / capitalists is hilarious. I appreciate the subtle details and traits that signals their decadency. Thanks to the focus on the family it achieves a humanistic tone despite its polemical intent.
5. L' éternel retour (Jean Delannoy, 1943) 6/10
Good performances from the actors involved. Good chemistry in the romantic involvements and enjoyful comic relief. It gets a bit to emotional for me, although it is well made with the pompous music and Greek tragedy ending and all. It contains some excellent cinematography and effective storytelling. One good example of storytelling would be the 360 degree camera movement around a table; illustrating the hostility/tension of the characters.
6. Orphée (Jean Cocteau, 1950) 7+/10
The poetry, the magic, the sensuality. The humor, the bleakness, the romance. The beating drums, the eloquent camera movements, the precise editing. The aesthetics are fantastic and the contents really intriguing. I definitely want to revisit the two other parts in the trilogy.
